1 in 5 people in Germany considering leaving the country, study finds

Most frequently cited reason for considering leaving across all groups is desire for 'higher quality of life'

BERLIN

One in five people in Germany are considering leaving the country, according to a recently completed survey.

The study, which was released Saturday, found that 21% of Germany’s population is considering leaving the country, including 34% from a migrant background, and 37% among their children.

The German Center for Integration and Migration Studies (DeZIM) did the study between 2024 and 2025 with 2,933 participants.

Among those without a migrant background, 17% are considering leaving Germany, while 31% of those from the former Soviet Union and 28% of those from other EU countries reported the same.

The most frequently cited reason for considering emigration across all groups was a desire for a "higher quality of life."

For people with a migrant background, experiences of discrimination also played a role.

It was reported that 25% of participants from Türkiye and the Middle East and North Africa region cited experiences of discrimination as a reason for considering leaving.

Fabio Best, a research officer at DeZIM, emphasized that the data show the desire to leave Germany remains high.

"Especially among people with a migration background and their children, the search for better living conditions, along with perceptions of discrimination, plays an important role," he said.